How To Save A Dying Corn Plant – 4 Practical Ways

Corn is an essential source of carbohydrates and vitamin C. It’s a special antioxidant that’s effective for cell protection and the prevention of serious ailments, including heart disease and cancer. See why caring for its plant is a must? Absolutely!

Peradventure, you’ve got corn plants showing signs of dryness and wilt in your compound; there’s no need to fret. With the right care and attention, you can revive your corn plant and bring it back to life. Proper watering, soil management, and sunlight exposure are essential factors to consider in caring for your corn plant.

This piece covers what you need to do to revitalize your corn plant. It also contains information about properly caring for your corn plant to avoid untimely death. First, let’s take a look at the signs you’ll notice in a corn plant that is dying!

What Are The Signs Of A Dying Corn Plant?

Knowing the signs of a dying corn plant will help you act quickly if something goes wrong. Here are some of the signs you’ll notice if the plant is dying:

1. Stunted Growth

If you notice your corn plant is not growing as expected, it is probably dying. Most of the time, stunted growth occurs when the plant gets too much or too little water. This prevents the plant from absorbing nutrients well. Signs of stunted growth include lesser cobs in their clusters, tiny cobs, and short plants with little leaves. 

2. Leaf Discoloration

Another symptom you’ll notice is that the leaves of the corn plant will begin to change color. They may change to pale white, faded green, or yellow. Later, the leaves may change to red, black, or brown. It’s best to take quick action before the leaves change to brown or black. 

3. Poor Root System 

In a situation where the soil composition is not good for the corn plant, its root system will be poor. Usually, this happens when the soil doesn’t provide adequate drainage or aeration for the plant. As a result, its roots will be too weak to support the corn plant. Once the soil composition is not good enough, it’s only a matter of time before the plant dies.  

Preventive Measures for Caring for Corn Plants

To ensure the health and longevity of your corn plant, it is crucial to take preventive measures and provide proper care. By avoiding common pitfalls and creating a favorable environment, you can prevent your corn plant from dying.

Overwatering is a common mistake, as it can lead to root rot and suffocate the plant. Instead, water your corn plant appropriately, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Excessive sunlight can also harm the plant, so be mindful of its light requirements and provide indirect sunlight.

Additionally, over-fertilizing can be detrimental, leading to fertilizer burn. Follow the recommended guidelines for fertilizing your corn plant and avoid overdoing it. Lastly, humidity plays a vital role in the plant’s well-being.

Corn plants thrive in moderate humidity levels, so consider using a humidifier or employing techniques like grouping plants together or using a pebble tray to increase humidity. By implementing these preventive measures, you can create a favorable environment for your corn plant and minimize the risk of it dying.

How To Save A Dying Corn Plant

The corn plant is widely known for being one of the easiest plants to grow. This plant doesn’t require much stress and is very easy to take care of. Yet, they might encounter a few problems that can make them wither away within a twinkle of an eye. 

Your favorite corn plant can die due to drought; overwatering, which can lead to root rot; or too much sun. The corn plant is on the verge of death when you notice that the leaves have dark brown tips. 

Also, wet or stinky soil, brown leaves, rotten roots, and dry soil can lead to a dying corn plant. Below are the major causes of a dying corn plant and how to save them.

1. Root Rot and Brown Tips

Brown tips and root rot begin to set in due to overwatering the plant, which can lead to the death of the plant. Signs of root rot include an awful smell and mushy and black roots. 

Take out the plant from the pot with caution. Inspect the root to know its state. If you notice that the root is wet, white or light brown, then the plant is still fine. Just ensure that you don’t water the plant for a few days. 

Follow up on the progress and see if it will recover. Check for all the signs of root rot mentioned previously to be sure root rot has set in. You might be able to save your plant if you still have healthy roots. 

Follow through with the procedure below to save your dying corn plant.

•  Get your scissors or any other cutting tools and sterilize for 10 minutes. You can do this with household bleach or 9:1 water. After sterilization, wash with clean soapy water, rinse properly, and dry thoroughly before use.
•  Use your clean-cutting tools to take out the dead root.
•  Check for healthy wire roots and rinse off the infected soil from it.
• Cut off the damaged leaves.
•  Ensure the remaining healthy root is proportioned to the top foliage and cut off excesses. You must balance both parts to aid the growth of the remaining root.
• Get a new pot and fill it with dry and fresh soil. Place your trimmed corn plant into it. Do not reuse the infected soil.
• Water a little bit, and be sure the water drains completely.
• Keep on monitoring the plant for a few days to ensure it’s recovering. Sterilize your cutting tools and wash the old pot thoroughly before keeping them.

2. Too Much Sunlight and Underwatering

Another factor that can lead to the death of corn plants is under watering or too much sunlight. Corn plants prefer when you water it once in 2-4 weeks and when in indirect sunlight. 

Underwatering becomes evident when the plant’s leaf tips turn light brown. This can lead to the death of the plant. You can save your corn plant from overwatering by:

• Do not water too much. Water appropriately until the soil is moist.
•  Cut off the brown tips, and it will revive itself.
•  Monitor the plant for a few days and ensure its soil is always damp.

Too much water can cause scorch marks on the leaves and lead to the death of the plant.

• Change the position of your plant and move it somewhere with indirect sunlight.
•  Start watering your plant bit by bit to keep the soil moist. Since the plant has been suffering from a lack of water due to too much sun, it must be watered regularly. Do not overwater and ensure that the soil is damp before you water again.

3. Over-fertilizing

Although fertilizers help your plant grow well, too much fertilizer can poison the plant. Overfertilizing leads to white crusts around the pot’s inside or on the soil surface, leading to the plant’s death.

• Get a faucet or running water and place your corn plant inside.
•  Let the water flow freely through the plant and out of the pot for close to 5 minutes. This will help wash away the excess fertilizer in the soil.
•   Ensure the water is drained, and monitor it properly for a while. Do not fertilize the plant for three months; your plant will be back to life.

4. Humidity

Your corn plant might also be dying as a result of low humidity. All you have to do is increase the plant’s humidity level, and all will be well. You can do this by purchasing a humidifier. 

You can also group your plant to increase its humidity and create a microclimate. Lastly, you can enhance the moisture of your plant with the help of a pebble tray. Here’s how to go about it.

•  Get a tray bigger than your corn plant’s pot and fill it with pebbles.
• Cover the bottom of the tray with enough water and ensure that the top of the pebble is completely dry.
•  Put your potted plant in this well-prepared pebble layer or beside this pebble tray. Ensure the lower part of the pot is not touching the water. The humidity level of the plant begins to increase as the tray water evaporates.
•  Fill up the tray with water as need be.

Troubleshooting Common Problems with Corn Plants

Corn plants can face various problems that can affect their health and vitality. Understanding and addressing these issues promptly can help save a dying corn plant. One common problem is pest infestation, particularly by spider mites or mealybugs. Regularly inspect your plant for any signs of pests, such as webbing, sticky residue, or tiny insects, and take appropriate measures to eliminate them.

Another issue is nutrient deficiencies, which can manifest as yellowing leaves or stunted growth. Providing a balanced fertilizer and ensuring proper soil nutrition can help overcome these deficiencies. Additionally, improper watering practices, such as overwatering or underwatering, can lead to root rot or dehydration, respectively.

Adjust your watering routine to meet the plant’s needs and maintain appropriate soil moisture levels. Lastly, temperature extremes, drafts, or sudden changes in environmental conditions can stress the plant and impact its health.

Keep your corn plant in a stable and suitable environment, away from cold drafts or direct heat sources. By troubleshooting these common problems, you can address them effectively and improve the chances of saving your corn plant

Common Myths and Facts about Corn Plants

There are various myths and facts surrounding corn plants that are worth exploring. One common myth is that corn plants can bring bad luck or negative energy into the home, but this is simply a superstition. In reality, corn plants are considered symbols of luck, prosperity, and good fortune in many cultures, especially in Asian countries.

Another misconception is that corn plants require extensive care and maintenance, but they are actually relatively easy to care for. While they do have specific requirements for water, light, and humidity, meeting these needs can help the plant thrive.

It is also important to debunk the myth that corn plants purify the air significantly. While they do have some air-purifying properties, their effectiveness in removing harmful compounds like formaldehyde and benzene is limited compared to other plants.

Understanding these myths and facts can help you better care for and appreciate your corn plant while dispelling any unfounded beliefs surrounding it.

Outro

Corn plants are fragile plants prone to dying if mishandled or exposed to rough conditions. As explained in the piece, overwatering, high humid conditions and excess fertilizers are elements that put the plant at risk of dying. 

These conditions must be avoided as preventive measures for caring for the plant. It’s best to prevent your corn plant from dying than trying to save them after they show signs of death.

Read another post: How To Save A Dying Rubber Tree Plant?

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